Management of Information Systems Outsourcing: Challenges and Lessons Learned

To be successful in Information Systems (IS) outsourcing the necessity of better management practices has been pointed out. This research contributes to the knowledge base on management of IS outsourcing by addressing management of IS outsourcing relationships. The research describes two cases of IS outsourcing relationships that differ in type of activity outsourced, IS development versus IS maintenance and operation, and relationship composition. From the cases lessons learnt are identified which with support from IS outsourcing literature are proposed as propositions for management of IS outsourcing. It can be concluded that if the propositions, related to negotiation, communication and way of working, are adopted in an early stage they could contribute to successful IS outsourcing relationships. Another conclusion is that the IS outsourcing management approach should not differ between type of IS activity outsourced, but rather reflect the nature of the IS activity; if it is a simple or complex activity.